Canon XSi vs Olympus E-M10

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Canon XSi vs Olympus E-M10

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APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XSi Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XSi.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10.
Compare Olympus E-M10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 II
Compare E-M10 vs E-M10 II

Compare CANON T1I vs OLYMPUS E-M10 II

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Olympus E-M10

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.20 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 19 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Canon XSi

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 test data on DxO Mark XSi test data on DxO Mark

884 vs 692 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M10 test data on DxO Mark XSi test data on DxO Mark

12.3 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Thinner
45 mm vs 61 mm
Thinner
Newer
11 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
16.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon XSi

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Buy the Olympus E-M10

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.
Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.
Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Olympus E-M10

Nikon D60

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Olympus E-M10

Pentax K2000

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Olympus E-M10

Canon T1i

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Canon XSi

Panasonic GX7

$649
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Canon XSi

Olympus E-M10 II

$649
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

$399
4/3

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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